Afghanistan mourns death of first vice president Mohammad Qasim Fahim

Afghanistan will begin three days of mourning starting Monday for the death of Mohammad Qasim Fahim, pictured in a 2011 file photo. Qasim was the country's first vice president.

Story highlights

Afghanistan's first vice president Mohammad Qasim Fahim dies

President Karzai calls for 3 days of mourning for "a patriotic Afghan"

No details are given about Fahim's death, including how and when he died

Fahim had also been a security adviser to Karzai and defense minister

Afghanistan will begin three days of mourning starting Monday for the death of Mohammad Qasim Fahim, an important figure in the country and most recently its first vice president.

President Hamid Karzai's office announced Fahim's death in a statement Sunday on its website. The statement did not say where or exactly when he died.

"May his soul rest in peace," the office said in its statement. "President Karzai called the demise of Marshal Qasim Fahim a great loss for Afghanistan and offered condolences to the people of Afghanistan on his passing."

Karzai ordered Afghanistan's flags to be flown at half-staff through Wednesday in honor of Fahim.